Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin tastes like the love child of St. Germaine Liqueur and Bombay Sapphire Gin.

You want a classic American can-do story? Step right up young man and let me tell you about Greenhook Ginsmiths. Just a few years ago, brothers Steven and Philip DeAngelo were bartenders in Brooklyn, New York, making finely crafted cocktails. Inspired by the craft distilling business blossoming all around them, they took their passion and poured it in to a small shop in the Greenhook section of Brooklyn and stepped into the other side of the craft beverage business … and we are all glad they did.

They have one, small-batch, alembic still, and she is a beauty. It was custom built as a “vacuum still,” which means that when the mash is being heated, they reduce the air pressure in the copper pot. Why do that? Glad you asked. It’s because the vacuum causes alcohols to evaporate at a lower heat. Lower heat means more flavor in the tank. Get it? Good.

The DeAngelo brothers are making a fine line of Gins, including their signature American Dry, Beach Plum Gin Liquor (think American Sloe Gin with more fruitiness), and their Old Tom Gin. All are really good additions and you should try them all.

If you are a Gin lover — and who isn’t these days — you will be forgiven if you have no bloody idea what “American Gin” means. Basically, American Gin refers to spirits that might have juniper in the ingredient list — but where a London Dry will likely have that herbal-pine flavor blasting up front — in an American Gin it plays a lesser role. So Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin is definitely a Gin — the juniper is there — but you get a loving supply of elderflower, chamomile & cinnamon up front with the juniper-party playing out back.

And you WILL like it! It’s rich, crisp, and balanced and just lovely by itself on the rocks with a twist. But if you want your Martini-loving head to explode, try three parts Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin and one part Noilly Pratt shaken and poured into a classic Martini glass that has been rubbed with an orange twist. Done!